The FCC also voted unanimously to establish a consistent regulatory approach to reining in telemarketing calls and texts (so-called robocalls) to both wired and wireless phones, including requiring written consent of the subject of those calls, giving them an easy opt-out during a call, and clarifying that computer calls or text like usage reports or school closings would not be affected. Written consent can include web site forms and e-mail.

'Unwanted telemarketing calls and texts were consistently in the top three consumer complaint categories at the FCC in 2011.\" I get about 3 per day mainly from Google Local (SEO) shops.

\"The new rules reduce regulatory uncertainty with minimal burden on industry and maximize consistency with those of the Federal Trade Commission.\"

\"Requiring telemarketers to obtain prior express written consent from them, including by electronic means such as a website form, before placing a robocall to a consumer;

\"Eliminating the \"established business relationship\" exemption to the requirement that telemarketing robocalls to residential wireline phones occur only with prior express consent from the consumer\";

\"Requiring telemarketers to provide an automated, interactive \"opt-out\" mechanism during each robocall so that consumers can immediately tell the telemarketer to stop calling\".

\n\n\nThe FCC also voted unanimously to establish a consistent regulatory approach to reining in telemarketing calls and texts (so-called robocalls) to both wired and wireless phones, including requiring written consent of the subject of those calls, giving them an easy opt-out during a call, and clarifying that computer calls or text like usage reports or school closings would not be affected. Written consent can include web site forms and e-mail. \n \nThe FCC move essentially harmonized FCC rules with FTC actions under the \"do not call\" enforcement regime.\n\nhttp://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/480606-FCC_Votes_to_Require_VoIP_Outage_Reporting.php